Combination snow shovel and ice scraper

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes a snow related removal device adapted for dual functionality. The device is designed to combine two distinct cold weather related tools into a single functioning snow shovel that can be easily converted from a tool that functions to remove snow from a surface to a tool that can chop and/or scrape ice.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tools useful for removing cold weatherrelated elements, and more particularly to a single device adapted forremoval of snow and scraping and/or chopping ice from a surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ability to maintain surfaces, passages, and pathways free from snowis paramount to areas of the country that experience cold weatherrelated elements, such as snow fall. A typical device used for removingsnow is a snow shovel. Snow shovels allow a user to manually move snowfrom one surface to another surface, thereby removing excess snow builtup on a surface from preventing passage to and from an area. Numerousshovels are known for such purposes.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,757 discloses a snow shoveling devicedescribed as including a handle mounted to an intermediate portion of abase of a mobile frame such that the handle can undergo pivotal movementbetween selected vertical angles relative to the base, a tool mounted toa front end of the base such that the tool can undergo pivotal movementbetween selected horizontal angles relative to the base, a handle angleadjustment mechanism adapted to undergo relative reciprocal movementbetween latched and unlatched positions so as to allow changing of thevertical angle of the handle relative to the base when the mechanism isin the unlatched position and to hold the handle at a selected one ofthe vertical angles relative to the base when the mechanism is in thelatched position, and a tool angle adjustment mechanism adapted toundergo relative pivotal movement between latched and unlatchedpositions as to allow changing of the horizontal angle of the toolrelative to the base when the mechanism is in the unlatched position andto hold the tool at a selected one of the horizontal angles relative tothe base when the mechanism is in the latched position.

U.S. Pat. Re. 36,588 discloses a snow removal tool described as having agraphite in-laid polyethylene blade with outwardly propagatingreinforced ribs providing a flex resistant blade of minimal thickness. Ashaft of the shovel is described as being constructed of a low coststeel pipe covered with a polyethylene sleeve with knurled gripsurfaces. The sleeve conforms to the pipe diameter upon application ofheat during manufacture. A one-piece handle is attached to the free endof the shaft. For storage purposes, a cutout is provided on a top edgeof each shovel allowing nesting of similarly shaped shovels. A straightblade shovel and a pusher type shovel are two embodiments disclosedherein.

While the removal of snow from a surface is a vital step, those livingin areas which receive cold weather related storms understand that theremoval of snow may be only the first step in securing safe passage fromwalkways and other areas. Often times, in areas experiencing frigidtemperatures and snow fall, a layer of ice forms beneath the snow. Theice layer must be removed as well, and often forms a much greater dangerto travelers than the snow. Unlike snow that is visible to the traveler,a layer of ice on a surface can cause an unwary individual to slip andfall, causing injury. Typically, an individual removing snow may attemptto use the edges of a snow shovel to break up the ice. However, suchattempts are generally not successful since snow shovel blades aretypically made of a light weight material that cannot penetrate the icelayer. In certain situations or where the snow shovel is made of astrong material, the user may bang the snow shovel blade against the icewith sufficient force that the shovel blade cracks, thereby destroyingthe snow shovel.

To overcome the problems associated with ice layer formation on asurface, ice scrapers or ice picks have been developed. Such icescrapers include U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,770. The '770 patent discloses atool for removing ice, snow and other debris from a vehicle or othersurface. The tool is described as having an extension handle withtelescoping ends. The device is further described as having one end ofthe handle an oblong head carrying a broom on one surface and a squeegeeon the opposite surface. The head is rotatably mounted on the handle toprovide both a linear cleaning motion and an arcuate motion. On theother end of the handle is described a bifurcated extension carrying ascraper and a toothed cutter. Other ice scrapers known in the artinclude, for example, U.S. Design Pat. D405,573 and D424,385.

While ice scrapers are effective at scraping and chopping ice from asurface, removing the chopped ice from the surface requires the use of ashovel. As such, an individual tasked with removing ice and/or snow froma surface must utilize a two step process, requiring the use of twodistinct tools. Utilizing both a snow shovel and an ice pick can be timeconsuming, requiring the user to switch off when encountering snow andice. Such extra time can be significant, particularly if the user isperforming such tasks in very frigid weather where extended exposure tosuch temperatures can create increased risk of frost bite and othersnow/cold weather-related dangers. Additionally, extra costs must beincurred to purchase two separate devices, and the user must dedicatelimited space to each independent device.

Combination devices are known in the art. For example, U.S. PatentApplication Number 2007/0085359 discloses a combination snow removaltool and snow shovel described as including an elongated handle havingan ice scraper attached to one end thereof, a snow brush having sets ofbristles extending transversely outwardly from the opposite end ofthereof, and a shovel adapted for removable interconnection to the icescraper. The device, however, appears to be geared to removal of icefrom a car windshield surface. Moreover, the ice scraper appears to becontinuously exposed, even when removal of snow is required. Thisarrangement can be awkward in use. In addition, exposing the ice cuttingsurfaces on a continuous manner can be problematic to the user.

What is needed, therefore, is a single device that can functionindependently as a snow shoveling tool and an ice scraping and/orchopping tool, and which can quickly and easily traverse or convert toeach tool modality independently, without exposing the user to possibledamage while using either tool. The device allows the user thecapability to use a single device which provides for two fullyindependent functioning tools in one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a device for use in cold weather reactedsceneries. The device is adapted to provide a single tool which can beused for dual purposes, independently as a snow shoveling tool and as anice scraper or chopper tool. In an illustrative embodiment, thecombination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping andchopping ice from a surface comprising: an elongated shaft having afirst end and an opposing second end; a handgrip attached along saidfirst end of said elongated shaft; a snow removal blade arrangedopposite said handgrip and attached to said shaft at or near said secondend of said elongated shaft; said snow removal blade having a firstsurface for engaging snow and a second surface adapted for removablynesting an ice scraper assembly to said snow removal blade; and an icescraper assembly, said ice scraper assembly comprising at least one icescraper blade adapted for scraping ice, chopping ice, or combinationsthereof, whereby said combination cold weather related tool for removingsnow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface being traversablebetween a snow shoveling mode and an ice scraping and chopping mode toform two independently functioning tools. The snow shovel and icescraper/chopper is designed to easily and quickly traverse or covertfrom the snow shoveling tool to the ice scraping and chopping tool. Assuch, each tool can accomplish its purposed functions, i.e. remove snowor scrape/chop ice, independently of the other mode.

In one illustrative embodiment, the combination cola weather relatedtool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface isadapted to provide a pivoting shovel blade pivotably connected to theshaft.

In another illustrative embodiment, the combination cold weather relatedtool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface isadapted to provide a shovel blade which is slidably engaged with theshaft.

In another illustrative embodiment, the combination cold weather relatedtool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface isadapted to provide an ice scraper and chopper assembly which is adaptedto slidably engage with the shaft.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide animproved cold weather tool having multiple uses.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a devicethat can function as a snow shovel and an ice scraper and/or chopper.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a singletool having dual functionality of removing snow and ice from a surface.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide adevice adapted to remove ice which can be quickly and easily convertedto a device that can function independently to scrape and chop ice froma surface.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a deviceadapted to nest an ice scraper assembly within a snow shovel blade.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a dualfunctioning device adapted to removal ice which can be quickly andeasily converted to a device that can function independently to scrapeand chop ice from a surface utilizing a pivoting shovel blade secured tothe device.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide adual functioning device adapted to remove ice which can be quickly andeasily converted to a device that can function independently to scrapeand chop ice from a surface utilizing a snow shovel blade which isslidably engaged with a shaft.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a dualfunctioning device adapted to remove ice which can be quickly and easilyconverted to a device that can function independently to scrape and chopice from a surface utilizing an ice scraper assembly which is slidablyengaged with a shaft.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with anyaccompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration andexample, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings containedherein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplaryembodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects andfeatures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view of an illustrative embodiment ofa snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper andchopper in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper andchopper in the ice scraping mode;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the snow shovel and ice scraper andchopper;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper prior tothe snow shovel blade being traversed or converted to the ice scrapingand chopping mode;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper enteringthe ice chopping mode, wherein the snow shovel blade is partiallyrotated about the shaft;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper enteringthe ice chopping mode, wherein the snow shovel blade is rotated aboutthe shaft;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper beingconverted into the ice chopping mode, wherein the snow shovel blade isfully rotated about the shaft;

FIG. 9 is a front side perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofa snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a back perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraperand chopper shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper andchopper shown in FIG. 9, illustrating partial sectioning of the shaft;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the snow shovel and ice scraper andchopper;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraperand chopper shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper shownin the snow shovel mode;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper shownin the ice scraping and chopping mode;

FIG. 16 is a front side perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofa snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a back perspective view of the alternative embodiment of asnow shovel and ice scraper and chopper illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the snowshovel and ice scraper and chopper, shown in the ice scraping mode;

FIG. 19 is an alternative perspective view of the snow shovel and icescraper and chopper shown in the snow shoveling mode, and illustratingthe telescoping alignment of the first and second shafts;

FIG. 20 is a partial exploded view of the alternative embodiment of asnow shovel and ice scraper and chopper as shown in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in variousforms, there is demonstrated and will hereinafter be described apresently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered anexemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limitthe invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

The present invention describes a snow related removal device adaptedfor dual functionality. The device is designed to combine two distinctcold weather related tools into a single functioning device that caneasily be converted from a snow shovel device that functions to removesnow from a surface to a device that can scrape and/or chop ice.Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an illustrative example of the combination snowshovel and ice scraper and chopper, referred to generally as 10A, isshown. The snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10A contains a shaft12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. The shaft 12 is preferablyused as a handle to allow the user to have the necessary leverage toremove snow and scrape and/or chop ice. The shaft 12 may be made of anysuitable material, such as wood or plastics, and made be hollow,partially hollow or solid. The shaft 12 may also contain ridges orgrooves to aid the user in gripping the shaft 12. Preferably, the shaft12 is a hollow steel shaft which contains a hand grip 18 along the firstend 14 and a pivotably attached snow removal blade 20 along the secondend 16.

The snow removal blade 20 may be constructed and arranged to provide forremoval of snow from one surface, stairways or sidewalks, to anothersurface, i.e. a grassy area. To that effect, the snow removal blade 20may be made of various materials depending on the need of the user. Suchmaterials may be, for example, metals such as steel or aluminums,plastics, such as, high density polyethylene (HDPE), impact plasticssuch as polypropylene or polyethylene, polycarbonates, carbon, graphite,or mixed material such as metal/plastic, depending on the need of theuser. The snow removal blade 20 may be constructed of various shapeswhich may include a snow removal blade designed to be substantially flator minimally curved. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, however, the snow removalblade 20 contains curved and/or rounded surfaces 22 thereby forming afront snow removal blade surface 24 having generally concave, arcuatesurfaces, and a convex snow removal blade back surface (see FIG. 2).Such surface provides the user the ability to push and remove snow froma surface in an efficient manner. While not required, it is preferredthat the snow removal blade 20 contain one or more reinforcement ribs28-34 which are sized and shaped to enhance the strength and structuralintegrity of the snow removal blade 20. The multiple rib reinforcementchannels may be molded across the surface of the show shovel blade.Additionally, the snow removal blade 20 may also contain a protectivereinforcement, illustrated herein as a stainless steel metal wear strip25, secured to the back surface edge 27 of the snow removal blade 20 bysecuring mechanism known to one of skill in the art, such as rivets orchemical fastening, to provide a wear resistant edge, preventingpremature wear associated with shovels being made of a particularmaterial, such as polyethylene. The wear strip 25 may alternately bemade of galvanized steel, carbon steel, iron and its alloys, or othermetals.

The hand grip 18 is preferably constructed to provide an ergonomic fitto provide the user the ability to better grip the snow shovel and icescraper and chopper 10A. The hand grip 18 may be made of impactresistant plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene and may have aD-shaped configuration. As an illustrative example, the hand grip 18 inaccordance with the present invention may be constructed as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,826,929, the content, in its entirely, are hereinincorporated by reference. Alternatively, any hand grip known to one ofskill in the art may be used in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the back surface 26 of the snow removal bladecontains a recessed pocket 36 sized and shaped to nest or store an icescraper and/or chopper assembly 38. The ice scraper and/or chopperassembly 38 is attached to the distal portion 40 (see FIG. 4) of thesecond end 16 of the shaft 12 and comprises a blade 42, illustratedherein as a tempered, galvanized steel beveled blade secured to an icescraper blade, support structure 46, preferably having a high impactresin cover. The outside plastic shell of the ice scraper blade supportstructure 46 may include glass-reinforced resin for increased strengthand durability. Preferably, ice scraper blade support structure 46 isinjection molded around at least a portion, and more preferably around amajority of the tempered, galvanized steel beveled blade 42 using aprocess known as insert molding. The combination of plastic which isover molded to the steel blade provides an ice scraper and chopper whichprovides a high strength to weight ratio as compared to other knowndevices, thereby reducing the fatigue associated with its use. Thepocket 36 is preferably molded inside the back side of the shovel blade20 and safely secures the ice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38therein. This feature allows the ice scraper to be securely nestedwithin the snow shovel so as not to interfere with or potentially exposethe user to the sharp blade when using the device in the snow shovelingmode. With this feature, the user can truly operate the device in twodistinct independent modes without fear the unique features of theindependent tools will overlap. Preferably, the ice scraper and/orchopper assembly 38 is secured to the shaft 12 using a metal pin orrivet 48 which is inserted through opening 50 of ice scraper bladesupport structure 46 and further secured using a nut 52, see for exampleFIG. 4.

In the snow removal mode, the ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38remains nested within the recessed pocket 36, see FIG. 5. In thisposition, the ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38 remains at adistance from any surface in contact with the snow shovel blade 20,thereby allowing for removal of show without interference with anyportion of the ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38. To use thedevice 10A as a snow scraper and/or an ice chopper, the shovel blade 20is disengaged from its nested position by depressing a first set ofspring loaded snap buttons 56 which are positioned inside the hollowshaft 12. Once the spring loaded snap buttons are engaged, the shovelblade 20 is free to rotate 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis 58(see FIG. 5) of the shaft 12 for which it is pivotably attached, seeFIGS. 6-8. To provide a mechanism of rotation about the shaft 12, thesnow shovel blade 20 contains a pair of generally parallel plates 60 and62 (see FIG. 3) secured to, or integrally formed as part of the backside of the shovel blade 20. The front surface 24 of the shovel blade 20contains a cut-out region 64 (see FIG. 1) which is sized and shaped toallow the shovel blade 20 to pivot about a pivot member, illustrated inFIG. 3 as a pivot pin 66 without providing interference. Upon rotation,the shovel blade 20 can be locked into place using a second set ofspring loaded releasable snap buttons 68 (see FIG. 4). To use the snowshovel and ice scraper and chopper 10A as a snow shovel, the stepsdescribed above are reversed. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first orsecond set of spring loaded releasable snap buttons maintain thepositioning of the snow shovel blade 20 through securing within two pairof openings 69 and 71, see FIGS. 3 and 8.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12, an alternative embodiment of the snow shoveland ice scraper and chopper, referred to generally as 10B is shown. Thesnow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10B has many of the samefeatures as described and above, and is illustrated using the samereference numbers which represent the same features already described.Unlike the embodiment 10A described previously which traverses from thesnow shoveling mode to the ice scraping and/or chopping mode through apivotably connected snow shovel blade 20, the snow shovel and icescraper and chopper 10B is adapted to allow for the snow shovel blade 20to slidably engage with the shaft 12. In this embodiment, the sizeand/or positioning of the ice scraper and chopper remains constant asthe snow shovel blade 20 slides up and down the shaft 12, exposing orhiding the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 depending on which modeis required.

As described previously, the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10Bis provided with the snow removal blade 20 which contains a recessedpocket 36 within the back surface sized and shaped to nest or store theice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38 which is attached to the distalportion 40 of the second end 16 of the shaft 12. The ice scraper and/orice chopper assembly 38 comprises a blade, illustrated herein as atempered, galvanized steel beveled blade 42 secured to an ice scraperblade, high impact resin cover support structure 46. Preferably, theoutside plastic shell material of the support structure uses glassreinforced resin and is injection molded around a majority of the blade42 using a process known as insert-molding. The combination of plasticover molded steel provides a greater strength to weight ratio thanstandard ice scrapers, resulting in less effort to use, thereby causingless fatigue. The pocket 36 is preferably molded inside the back side ofthe shovel blade 20 and safely secures the ice scraper and/or chopperassembly 38 therein. The ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38secures to the shaft 12 using the pivot pin 48 and nut 52 as describedpreviously.

The snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10B is adapted to traversebetween a snow shoveling mode to an ice scraping and/or chopping mode,quickly and easily converting between two tools that independentlyfunction. To accomplish such functionality, the shaft 12 of the snowshovel and ice scraper and chopper 10B contains a channel 70 formedwithin at least one side of the shaft. The channel 70 is preferablysized to run the entire length of the shaft 12 from the second end 16 tothe first end 14. The channel 70, however, may be sized to run anydistance from the second end 16 to the first end 14. The channel 70 isfurther sized and shaped to allow a portion of the snow shovel blade 20to move in a forward and backward direction, parallel to thelongitudinal axis 58 of the shaft 12. To provide such functionality, thedistal end 40 of the second end 16 couples to a generally tubularcoupling member 72 extending from or integrally formed from the backsurface 26 of the snow shovel blade 20. A pair of flanges 73 and 75 (seeFIG. 14) may be used for structural support.

The coupling member 72 is sized and shaped to prevent any lateralseparation of the snow shovel blade 20 from the shaft 12. In addition,the coupling member 72 may be designed to maintain the shovel blade 20in proper orientation within the channel 70 as it slides upwardlytowards the first end 14 and downwardly towards the second end 16. Asillustrated in FIG. 13, the coupling member 72 contains an alignmentmember, illustrated as a generally cylindrical member 74, which extendsthe length of the coupling member 72 and is positioned along the innersurface of the continuous wall surface 76. The generally cylindricalmember 74 is sized and shaped to snuggly fit within the channel, i.e.within channel walls 78 and 80 (see FIG. 14), and move along the surface82. Alternative mechanisms may be utilized, such as but not limited to,use of ball bearings or other devices which allow the coupling member 72to slidably engage with the shaft 12 and move within the channel 70.

In the snow shoveling mode, see FIG. 14, the ice scraper and chopperassembly 38 is nested or stored and hidden inside the pocket 36 moldedinto the back side of the shovel blade. To traverse to the ice scrapingand chopping mode, the user simply disengages the shovel blade 20 fromits nested position by depressing a first set of spring loaded snapbuttons which extend outwardly from the interior of the shaft 12 througha set of holes in the pole and the neck of the shovel blade. While thebuttons 56 remain depressed, the user pulls and slides the shovel blade20 up the shaft 12, locking it into a second set of snap buttons 68located a predetermined distance, such as but not limited to 20″ fromthe first set of spring loaded snap buttons 56. To convert back and usethe snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10B in the snow shovelingmode, the user simply reverses the procedures described above.

Referring to FIGS. 16-20, an alternative embodiment of the snow shoveland ice scraper and chopper, referred to generally as 10C is shown. Thesnow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10C has many of the samefeatures as described above and is therefore illustrated using the samereference numbers when referring to like features already described.Similar to the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10A and 10B, snowshovel and ice scraper and chopper 10C is adapted to traverse or convertbetween a snow shoveling mode and an ice scraping and/or chopping mode.The snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper described as 10C is adaptedto allow for the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 to slidably engagewith the shaft 12. In this embodiment, the positioning of the snowshovel blade 20 remains fixed as the ice scraper and chopper 38 assemblyslides up and down the shaft 12, exposing or hiding the ice scraper andchopper assembly 38 depending on which mode is required.

As described previously, the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10Cis provided with the snow removal blade 20 having a recessed pocket 36within the back surface 26. The recessed pocket 36 is sized and shapedto nest and store the ice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38. Instead ofattaching directly to the distal portion 40 of the second end 16 of theshaft 12, the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 is secured to asecondary shaft 84, see FIGS. 17-20. The secondary shaft 84 ispreferably shorter than the primary shaft 12, such as but not limited toa 12′ long hollow steel shaft which is adapted to telescope and bestored within the interior lumen 86 (see FIG. 19) of the primary shaft12. Accordingly, the secondary shaft 84 slides within the primary shaft12 to create a shaft length that is greater than the length of the firstshaft 12 when fully extended. In this configuration, the shaft 84coupled to the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 slides up and downresulting in the traversal or conversion between the snow shoveling modeand the ice scraping mode. As such the snow shovel blade 20 is fixed inplace to the shaft 12 via securing pin 87 (see FIG. 16) inserted throughthe coupling member 72.

The ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38 comprises a blade,illustrated herein as a tempered, galvanized steel beveled blade 42secured to an ice scraper blade high impact resin cover supportstructure 46. The pocket 36 is preferably molded inside the back side ofthe shovel blade 20 and safely secures the ice scraper and/or chopperassembly 38 therein. The ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38secures to the shaft secondary shaft 84 using pin 48 and nut 52 asdescribed previously. In this manner, the snow shovel and ice scraperand chopper 100 is adapted to traverse between a snow shoveling mode toan ice scraping and/or chopping mode, quickly and easily by extendingthe length of the shaft 12 in combination with the secondary shaft 84.This creates an ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 that slidably movesinto and away from the pocket 36.

Accordingly, in the snow shoveling mode, see FIG. 16, 17, or 19 the icescraper and chopper assembly 38 is nested or stored and hidden withinthe pocket 36 molded into the back side of the shovel blade 20. Toconvert the device to the ice scraping and chopping mode, see FIGS.17-19, the user simply disengages the secondary shaft 84 attached to theice scraper and chopper assembly 38 from its nested position bydepressing a set of spring loaded snap buttons 56. As the snap buttons56 are pressed, the user pulls on the secondary shaft 84 telescoping itout of the distal end of the primary shaft 12. When fully extended, itlocks into place through a second set of snap buttons 68. To use thesnow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10C in the snow shoveling mode,the user simply reverses the procedures described above wherein the icescraper and chopper assembly 38 can be disengaged, sliding back insidethe primary shaft 12 and into its nested position.

The publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of thelevels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Allpatents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to thesame extent as if each individual publication was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention isillustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangementherein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to whatis shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figuresincluded herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain theends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Theembodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein arepresently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended tobe exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changestherein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which areencompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by thescope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been describedin connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should beunderstood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited tosuch specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of thedescribed modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious tothose skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination cold weather related tool forremoving snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface comprising:an elongated shaft having a first end and an opposing second end; ahandgrip attached along said first end of said elongated shaft; a snowremoval blade arranged opposite said handgrip and attached to said shaftat or near said second end of said elongated shaft; said snow removalblade having a first surface for engaging snow and a second surfaceadapted for removably nesting an ice scraper assembly to said snowremoval blade; and an ice scraper assembly, said ice scraper assemblycomprising at least one ice scraper blade adapted for scraping ice,chopping ice, or combinations thereof, whereby said combination coldweather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping icefrom a surface being traversable between a snow shoveling mode and anice scraping and chopping mode to form two independently functioningtools.
 2. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snowand scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1wherein said second surface of snow removal blade includes a pocketsized and shaped to secure said ice scraper assembly therein and moldedinto said back surface, whereby said ice scraper assembly blade is notexposed when said tool is in the snow shoveling mode.
 3. The combinationcold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and choppingice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said first surface ofsaid snow removal blade includes at least one reinforcement rib.
 4. Thecombination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping andchopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 further including awear resistance strip attached to said snow shovel blade.
 5. Thecombination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping andchopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said at leastone ice scraper blade is a tempered, galvanized steel beveled blade. 6.The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scrapingand chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said snowremoval blade is molded out of light weight plastics.
 7. The combinationcold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and choppingice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said ice chopperassembly further includes an ice scraper blade support structure.
 8. Thecombination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping andchopping ice from a surface according to claim 7 wherein said icescraper blade support structure contains glass reinforced resin which isinjection molded over at least a portion of said ice scraper blade. 9.The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scrapingand chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said snowremoval blade pivotably connects to said elongated shaft.
 10. Thecombination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping andchopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 further including anactuating mechanism that releases said ice scraper assembly from saidsnow removal blade.
 11. The combination cold weather related tool forremoving snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according toclaim 10 wherein said actuating mechanism includes at least one pair ofspring buttons.
 12. The combination cold weather related tool forremoving snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according toclaim 1 wherein said snow removal blade is slideably coupled to saidelongated shaft.
 13. The combination cold weather related tool forremoving snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according toclaim 12 wherein said elongated shaft includes a channel running fromsaid second to said first end, said channel sized and shaped to receivean alignment member.
 14. The combination cold weather related tool forremoving snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according toclaim 13 further including a first locking mechanism located at or nearsaid distal end, said first locking mechanism maintaining said tool insaid snow shoveling mode.
 15. The combination cold weather related toolfor removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface accordingto claim 14 further including a second locking mechanism, said secondlocking mechanism maintaining said tool in said ice scraping andchopping mode whereby said snow removal blade is maintained at apredetermined distance from said ice scraping assembly.
 16. Thecombination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping andchopping ice from a surface according to claim 15 wherein said firstlocking mechanism is a pair of spring loaded snap buttons.
 17. Thecombination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping andchopping ice from a surface according to claim 16 wherein said secondlocking mechanism is a pair of spring loaded snap buttons.
 18. Thecombination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping andchopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said snowshovel blade is fixed in position at or near the second end of saidelongate shaft.
 19. The combination cold weather related tool forremoving snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according toclaim 18 wherein said ice scraper assembly is coupled to a second end ofa second shaft, said second shaft having a first end coupled to saidfirst shaft, said second shaft sized and shaped to slidably engage withsaid first shaft thereby extending the positioning of said ice scraperassembly relative to the show shovel blade when in the ice scrapingmode.